Why Dwight Howard Will Become a Villain Like LeBron James

LeBron James is one of the most hated players in the NBA, and rightfully so after the way he left the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It wasn’t because he left, it was how he left. “The Decision” was probably the biggest slap in the face Clevelanders had ever experienced, and that’s saying something.

Dwight Howard finds himself in a situation similar to what LeBron faced—Howard’s team has failed to build a contender around him, and he wants out.

He wanted more say in the personnel decisions the franchise was making and simply doesn’t like head coach Stan Van Gundy.

Howard doesn’t have to replicate “The Decision” to be hated like LeBron.

Yes, LeBron strung the franchise along making it think it had a chance to re-sign him inhibited it from building for the future. Yes, LeBron was the local savior from Akron who was supposed to bring a championship to the desolate city.

But it doesn’t matter because Dwight is acting more childish than LeBron by changing his mind every other interview. He has demanded a trade, which allows Orlando to get some value for his departure, but he is also claiming he still wants to play for Orlando.

This claim is a publicity stunt for Howard to save face.

He realizes there isn’t anything the Magic can do to bring talent to Orlando because it is restricted by massive contracts. If Howard isn’t dealt by the deadline, he will walk in free agency.

That’s the issue—Howard has the Magic front office, Otis Smith included, thinking they can keep him. If the Magic fail to trade Howard by the deadline, the franchise is set back another decade similar to when Shaq left.

Here’s another reason people hate that LeBron went to Miami—he couldn’t win on his own.

He went to the Heat, Dwyane Wade’s team, to join a better team because he couldn’t be “the man.” He took the easy way out. Instead of making star players come to his team, he joined up with others to play a secondary role.

Howard potentially will do the same thing.

If Howard goes to the Nets he is joining Deron Williams’ team, and it will always be Williams’ team because he recruited Howard. If Howard goes to the Lakers he'd be joining Kobe Bryant’s team.

Either option shows Howard couldn’t win on his own and couldn’t be “the man” to recruit other stars to Orlando.

Speaking of the Nets, it’s head-scratching as to why Howard would want to go there if he wants to win.

Williams is there, but the Nets went 24-58 in 2010-'11, while the Magic went 52-30. Orlando has a more complete team, and Howard’s addition to the Nets won't drastically alter the win column.

The Nets seem more like a sexy pick because of owner Mikhail Prokhorov and the possible relocation of the franchise to Brooklyn. It makes one begin to wonder where Dwight’s priorities are, because winning doesn’t seem to be one of them right now.

If Howard wants to save his image, he needs to quit publicly bashing his general manager and coach.

His demand has been made and his intentions are more than clear, so it’s time for Howard to stop talking. It also would help if Howard didn’t look so nonchalant on the court, even if it is just the preseason.

Howard has damaged his once-pristine reputation with NBA fans. He was once arguably the anti-LeBron.

As Howard continues his slow decline into villain territory, only a few young heroes remain in the league. Thank goodness for Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose.

Howard could learn a thing or two from them.